Citronella works by masking scents that are attractive to insects namely carbon dioxide and lactic acid in humans according to the NPIC.

One benefit of using citronella as mosquito repellent is that it is safe and non-toxic to humans and animals (and even the insects). Although some people can have mild allergic reactions to the oil, even ingesting citronella will not affect humans it is simply broken doen and passed out of the body through urine.

What is Citronella?

Citronella oil is a colorless or light yellow liquid with a characteristic woody, grassy or lemony ador. It is flammable and if the vapors are inhaled, this could cause an initial stimulation followed by depression of the central nervous system..

Citronella oil has minimal or no risk to wildlife and environment due to its toxic levels being low and its use being limited. Therefore, it can be used around the home with no expected adverse effects.

The fumes of citronella oil are said to be potentially toxic to birds; however, this is because it is often used in conjunction with other essential oils in air fresheners – therefore, the potential to cause toxicity.

[Read more…]

DEET- The most effective repellent in the world.

Many people’s response to feaars about West Nile Virus (WNV) and the normal annoyance of mosquito bites is to slather on the insect repellent, especially on their children. The most common choice is a DEET based repellent. A study released last summer showed some DEET based products to be the most effective, in that they lasted longer that other products. But DEET based repellents aren’t just hazardous to mosquitoes. From a human health point of view, when mosquito bites are more of a nuisance than a serious health threat, choosing a botanical based repellent makes more sense.

[Read more…]

5 human scents that attract mosquitoes and how to make yourself less attractive to bugs

Have you ever wondered why you attract more mosquitoes than say the person sitting beside you?

We are often asked why mosquitoes prefer some humans over others. Well, it all comes down to how good you smell (or bad, depending on your perspective).

Mosquitoes have very acute receptors in their antennae and heads that can detect human scents up to 100 feet away. Scents are one of the primary indicators mosquitoes use to identify their prey. It’s actually only female mosquitoes bite. The females need the protien found in blood to produce their eggs.

[Read more…]

How to Prevent Mosquitoes from Breeding

The most iconic summertime pest is the mosquito. In India, Now not only summers but also winters due to climatic conditions & demography, mosquitoes can be seen throghout the year. Depending on your area of residence, mosquitoes can be nothing more than a simple nuisance that negatively impacts your quality of living or they can pose a serious health risk. Whether you’re trying to reduce your risk of contracting an illness or you just want some peace of mind, you may want to get rid of as many mosquitoes as you can, You can do this by attacking the problem at its root by not allowing the mosquitoes to breed. Learning how to prevent mosquitoes from breeding can go a long way towards reducing the impact of mosquitoes on your standard of living. Water is a necessary resource in every stage of the mosquito breeding process. If you deprive the mosquitoes of water, they will be unable to breed.

[Read more…]